G.K Chesterton on the dislocation of humility

"A man was meant to be doubtful about himself but undoubting about the truth... we are on the road to producing a race of men too mentally modest to believe the multiplication tables." -G.K. Chesteron

Alistair Begg quoted this in his sermon at Ocean Grove this past Sunday. It is a sad fact that we have arrived at the exact opposite of Chesterton's statement. Humility has nowadays evolved to doubting the truth but being sure about yourself. Begg says:

"We affirm.... religious tolerance, social tolerance, but that's where it stops, because the idea of intellectual tolerance, cultivating a mind so broad that it can tolerate every opinion without ever detecting anything in it to reject, is not actually a virtue. It's an indication of a simple mind."

He explains that the word "tolerance" has been redefined to mean acceptance of any opinion and belief as truth. However, what religious tolerance means is treating people who have differing religious beliefs with kindness, respect, and integrity, not accepting their beliefs as true. And social tolerance means treating others with the same kindness without accepting that their lifestyle choices are right or good. It's important to make that distinction otherwise our generation is slowly going to become a confused, wishy-washy lot of illogical people.

How refreshing to have Dr. Begg delineate that so clearly for us. It gives a new confidence in reaching people outside of my religious and social circles.